White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt discusses her 32-year age-gap marriage

Karoline Leavitt opens up about her unusual marriage and praises her husband as a hands-on father

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, 28, recently discussed her marriage to 60-year-old real estate developer Nicholas Riccio.

She called their 32-year age difference “unusual” but emphasized the strong bond they share. The couple married in January. They welcomed their son, also named Nicholas, last summer.

Leavitt spoke candidly about the relationship on the Pod Force One podcast. Host Miranda Devine asked if she could not find partners her own age who were as mature.

Leavitt replied, “Honestly, no. He is amazing. And we met during my congressional campaign. A friend of mine who owns a restaurant is also a mutual friend of my husband's, and he invited my husband to my event at his restaurant, and we met. We were acquainted as friends for quite some time, but then of course we fell in love.”

Q: Tell us about your husband, I think he is 32 years older than you which is unusual.

Karoline Leavitt: It is very unusual

Q: Could you not find boys your own age?

Leavitt: Honestly no, but he's amazing... We fell in love. He's just an amazing guy... He's a successful real… pic.twitter.com/n7ZUU5BS6L

— Ron Smith (@Ronxyz00) November 19, 2025

She also addressed her parents’ reaction to the relationship. She noted the initial challenges of dating someone closer to their own age.

“It's definitely a challenging conversation to have at first, but then once they got to know him and saw who he is as a man and his character and how much he adores me, I think it became quite easy for them. And now, we're all friends,” Leavitt said.

“I mean, it's a typical family relationship. And my husband has such respect for my parents and the way that they raised me. We all have a lot of fun together when they come to visit.”

Leavitt praised her husband as “an incredibly hands-on father.” She described the challenges of balancing motherhood with a high-profile role in the White House.

Her son often accompanies her to the office. There, he has met President Donald Trump. “They've met on many occasions. The president's very kind. He's very good with children. He likes children. I think he's fascinated by them and he's very cute with them. He's always very nice to my son,” she said.

Leavitt’s openness about her personal life comes as she continues to navigate her demanding professional responsibilities while raising a young child.